A group of girls from Elmore Academy visited the Grotto, located in West Bend, IA. The Grotto of the Redemption is the inspiration and life work of Fr. Paul Dobberstein (1872-1954), a Catholic priest. For a decade, he gathered rocks and precious stones from around the world then began construction in 1912. For the next 42 years, Fr. Dobberstein
created hundreds of intricate rock settings that form the Grotto’s walls and ceilings, evoking a spiritual experience.

Matt Szerensce, a parishioner, and Fr. Louis Greving, the next Catholic pastor in West Bend, worked side-by-side with Fr. Dobberstein and furthered the work of Fr. Dobberstein after his death. The Grotto of the Redemption is the largest grotto in the world. It is comprised of nine separate grottos, each depicting a scene in the life of Jesus of Nazareth. The theme of Redemption gives unity to this sacred space.